Image outputting device from mobile storage medium

ABSTRACT

An image output apparatus capable of offline printing or displaying image and text data automatically and efficiently to a digital copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a liquid crystal projector, a television set and the like is provided. Discrimination is conducted as to whether data in a data file to be printed, which is read out from a memory card by a memory card controller, is color or monochrome image data. As a result of the discrimination, when the data is color image data, print confirmation means provided in the image output apparatus allows a user to confirm whether or not to print out monochrome image data, which is converted from the color image data by color/monochrome conversion means, by monochrome image formation means.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an image output apparatus thatprints and displays data. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a technology that is applied to a digital copying machine, animage formation apparatus (printer), a facsimile, a liquid crystalprojector, a television set and the like and for recording image andtext data together with predetermined information on the management andthe processing of these data onto a removable and portable storagemedium, whereby carrying out offline printing-out of the image and thetext data automatically and efficiently.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recently, the demand for high speed and multi-functional digitalcopying machines has arisen, and a so-called digital copying machineprovided with a facsimile function, a printer function, etc. in additionto a copy function has been developed. A conventional digital copyingmachine will be described below, referring to the drawings.

[0003]FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the flow of an image signal ina conventional digital copying machine.

[0004] As shown in FIG. 29, an image sensor 71 scans an original toconvert reflected light from the original to an electric signal. Ananalog image signal from the image sensor 71 then is converted to adigital image signal by an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 72. Theconverted digital image signal is subjected to image processing such asedge enhancement, trimming, halftone processing, and edit processing inan image processor 73. An image signal output from the image processor73 is buffered in buffer memory 74 for speed control to be given to alaser driver 78. The laser driver 78 drives a semiconductor laser 79 toform an electrostatic latent image by laser beams output from thesemiconductor laser 79.

[0005] The digital copying machine further includes a central processingunit (CPU) 85, a local area network (LAN) controller 80, page memory 84,a parallel interface (I/F) 81, a communication control unit (CCU) 82,and a compressor/expander 86, which are mutually connected by a CPU bus83.

[0006] The CPU 85 includes random access memory (RAM) and read onlymemory (ROM) and controls the entire digital copying machine. The pagememory 84 has capacity that can store at least one page of image dataand is connected to the buffer memory 74. Image data stored in the pagememory 84 is output to the laser driver 78 through the buffer memory 74to be printed on paper.

[0007] The LAN controller 80 communicates with external equipmentthrough a local area network (LAN). When the digital copying machine isused as a remote printer, external equipment such as a computertransmits a print control command and image data to the digital copyingmachine through the LAN. The CPU 85 stores the image data receivedthrough the LAN into the page memory according to the received printcontrol command.

[0008] Using the parallel I/F 81, the digital copying machine andexternal equipment can be connected one to one. When the digital copyingmachine is used as a printer for the external equipment, the externalequipment transmits a print control command and image data to thedigital copying machine through the parallel I/F 81 of the digitalcopying machine. When the image scanner function of the digital copyingmachine is used by the external equipment, the external equipmenttransmits an image read control command to the digital copying machinethrough the parallel I/F 81, and read image data is transmitted to theexternal equipment from the digital copying machine.

[0009] The CCU 82 communicates with an external facsimile through apublic network using a modem 87. Image data received by the facsimile isexpanded by the compressor/expander 86, is transferred to the pagememory 84, and is printed out. Also, image data read for facsimiletransmission is stored in the page memory 84, is compressed by thecompressor/expander 86, and is transmitted to the external facsimilethrough the CCU 82 and the modem 87.

[0010] Next, a conventional image reader will be described.

[0011]FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the flow of an image signal ina conventional image reader.

[0012] In FIG. 30, an image sensor 171 scans an original to convertreflected light from the original to an electric signal. An analog imagesignal output from the image sensor 171 is converted to a digital imagesignal by an A/D converter 172, and is input to an image processor 173.With respect to the digital image signal, the image processor 173performs image processing such as edge enhancement, trimming, halftoneprocessing, pixel density conversion, and gradation level conversion aswell as edit processing. Image data output form the image processor 173is stored in buffer memory 174.

[0013] For controlling the entire image reader, a CPU 185 including aRAM and a ROM is provided. The CPU 185, the image processor 173, thebuffer memory 174, a DMA (direct memory access) controller 180, and asmall computer system interface (SCSI) controller 181 are mutuallyconnected through a CPU bus 183.

[0014] The DMA controller 180 DMA transfers image data stored in thebuffer memory 174 to the SCSI controller 181. External equipment such asa computer transmits a control command for the image reader to the imagereader through the SCSI controller 180 and receives image data from theimage reader. The CPU 185 sets the degree of edge enhancement, thegradation level of image data, read density, etc. according to the imageread control command.

[0015] Generally, a high-speed digital plain paper copier (PPC) capableof copying more than tens of sheets per minute is located in a commonspace such as a copy room or a hallway. When copying a document that isprepared by a personal computer, etc. in plural copies, a user has toprint the original by a nearby printer, take the original to a placewhere a digital copying machine is located, and then copy the originalin plural copies using a sorter, etc. of the digital copying machine.Especially, when a personal computer used by a user is not connectedthrough a LAN, the remote print function of the digital copying machinecannot be used, so that copying must be done as mentioned above. In thiscase, an original image is once printed on paper before copying it, andtherefore the image is inevitably degraded.

[0016] When a personal computer used by a user is connected to thedigital copying machine through a LAN, the user can use the remote printfunction of the digital copying machine. Therefore, the user directlycan utilize a function such as a sorter of the digital copying machinefrom his/her personal computer. However, when copying by using theremote print function of the digital copying machine, the user has to goto a distant place where the digital copying machine is located to takeprinted paper. Also, when copying in large amounts using the remoteprint function, problems such as paper-out and paper jam are likely tooccur. To solve these troubles, the user also has to go to the placewhere the digital copying machine is located. Thus, the utility value ofthe remote (online) print function in a high-speed digital copyingmachine is not very high.

[0017] When using the image scanner function of the digital copyingmachine from a user's personal computer online by using the parallel I/F81 shown in FIG. 29 and the LAN, similar problems arise. That is, theuser has to go to a distant place where the digital copying machine islocated to set an original in the image scanner part of the digitalcopying machine. Therefore, when the digital copying machine and theuser's computer are located a distance apart, it is not useful to usethe image scanner function of the digital copying machine online.

[0018] Such an image reader is connected to external equipment such as apersonal computer one to one using an interface such as a SCSI.Therefore, the image reader is used exclusively by the user of theconnected personal computer. When another user attempts to use the imagereader, the user has to use the personal computer connected to the imagereader or connect the image reader to his/her personal computer.

[0019] When a user carries his/her personal computer to such as abusiness destination and attempts to print a document, it is troublesometo connect the personal computer through a LAN at the businessdestination. In some cases, on the ground of security, a user's carriedpersonal computer may not be connected to a LAN at a businessdestination. If a printer and a scanner at a business destination and ata convenience store are equipped with an offline function, data to beprinted can be printed easily and data on a paper document can beconverted into electronic form easily through a memory card.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0020] With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an image output apparatus that is easily applicableto a digital copying machine, an image formation apparatus (printer), afacsimile, a liquid crystal projector, a television set and the like andfor recording image and text data together with predeterminedinformation on the management and the processing of these data onto aremovable and portable storage medium, whereby carrying out offlineprinting or display outputting of the image and the text dataautomatically and efficiently is possible.

[0021] It is another object of the present invention to realize anoffline printing function by storing e-mail data and a text filereceived by a mobile phone into a portable storage medium capable ofbeing installed into the mobile phone and then by inserting thisportable storage medium into equipment having a printing function suchas a facsimile and a printer.

[0022] It is still another object of the present invention to realize anoffline printing function by storing data contained in data broadcastingthat is transmitted to a TV set capable of receiving the databroadcasting into a portable storage medium capable of being installedinto the TV set, and then by inserting this portable storage medium intoequipment having a printing function such as a facsimile and a printer.

[0023] It is a further object of the present invention to give apresentation without using a computer by storing slide image dataproduced using a computer into a portable storage medium and then byinserting this portable storage medium into equipment having a displayfunction such as a liquid crystal projector.

[0024] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a first imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which prints outdata in a data file as visible data, the data in the data file beingread from a portable storage medium in which the data to be printed isstored as the data file, includes: portable storage medium access meansfor accessing the portable storage medium to read out the data in thedata file to be printed; image discrimination means for discriminatingwhether the data in the data file to be printed, which is read out bythe portable storage medium access means, is color image data ormonochrome image data; color/monochrome conversion means for convertingcolor image data into monochrome image data; monochrome image formationmeans for printing out monochrome image onto a recording medium as thevisible data; and print confirmation means for, when the imagediscrimination means discriminates that the data in the data file to beprinted is color image data, confirming with a user whether or not toprint out monochrome image data, which is converted from the color imagedata by the color/monochrome conversion means, by the monochrome imageformation means.

[0025] According to this first image output apparatus, which is amonochrome printer having a color/monochrome conversion function, whendata to be printed that is stored in the portable storage medium iscolor image data, confirmation is carried out for a user as to whetherto print out converted monochrome image data or to stop the printing.This can eliminate the probability that the user misunderstands originalimage data as monochrome. The user can be notified that the originalimage data was color image data, and therefore the color image data maybe printed using a color printer if the user wishes to do so. As aresult, unnecessary monochrome printing can be avoided.

[0026] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a second imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which prints outdata in a data file as visible data, the data in the data file beingread out from a portable storage medium in which the data to be printedis stored as the data file, includes: portable storage medium accessmeans for accessing the portable storage medium to read out the data inthe data file to be printed; image discrimination means fordiscriminating whether the data in the data file to be printed, which isread out by the portable storage medium access means, is color imagedata or monochrome image data; color/monochrome conversion means forconverting color image data into monochrome image data; monochrome imageformation means for printing out monochrome image onto a recordingmedium as the visible data; and print notification means for, when theimage discrimination means discriminates that the data in the data fileto be printed is color image data, notifying a user that monochromeimage data, which is converted from the color image data by thecolor/monochrome conversion means, has been printed out by themonochrome image formation means.

[0027] According to this second image output apparatus, when the secondimage output apparatus is a monochrome printer having a color/monochromeconversion function and when data to be printed that is stored in theportable storage medium is color image data, the user is notified thatmonochrome image data converted from the color image data was printedout. Thereby, if the user wishes to conduct printing-out by a colorprinter, printing-out can be done again using the color printer. As thisnotification method for the user, for example, it is preferable todisplay a message on a liquid crystal display provided at an operationsection of the monochrome printer, or to print a report on anothersheet.

[0028] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a third imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to a job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;and job deletion confirmation means for, after completing the job forthe data file to be subjected to the job, confirming with a user whetheror not to delete the job information.

[0029] According to this third image output apparatus, the jobinformation can be left by confirming with the user, assuming the casewhere the user might wish to conduct printing-out again, although thejob information normally is deleted after completing the job in the casewhere for the purpose of offline printing, usage such as a print spoolis done while the data to be printed remains to be stored. For example,there may be cases where printing has been conducted on a wrong sheet ormistakenly using a monochrome printer although data to be printedoriginally is color image data. In addition, even when the jobinformation is deleted, the data to be printed itself is not deleted.Therefore, although automatic printing using the job information cannotbe done, printing by designating a data file to be printed can be doneif providing a user interface to select data to be printed.

[0030] In the above third image output apparatus, it is preferable thatthe job information contains job deletion information indicating whetheror not to delete the job information after completing the job, and thejob deletion confirmation means makes the user confirm whether or not todelete the job information, even when the job deletion informationinstructs to delete the job information after completing the job.

[0031] With this configuration, a more user-friendly and convenientapparatus can be realized.

[0032] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a fourth imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected being read out from a portable storage medium in which thedata to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file and jobinformation for executing a predetermined procedure with respect to thedata file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;and job/data deletion confirmation means for, after completing the jobfor the data file to be subjected to the job, confirming with a userwhether or not to delete the job information and the data to besubjected to the job.

[0033] According to this fourth image output apparatus, both the jobinformation and the data to be printed can be left by confirming whethera user wishes to conduct printing-out again, although the data to beprinted itself needs to be generated again in the case where the userwishes to conduct printing-out again when such a print spool functionthat the data to be printed itself is deleted together with the jobinformation is executed under a normal operation. For example, there maybe cases where printing has been conducted on a wrong sheet ormistakenly using a monochrome printer although data to be printedoriginally is color image data.

[0034] In the above fourth image output apparatus, it is preferable thatthe job information contains job/data deletion information indicatingwhether or not to delete the job information and the data subjected tothe job after completing the job, and the job/data deletion confirmationmeans makes the user confirm whether or not to delete the jobinformation and the data subjected to the job, even when the job/datadeletion information instructs to delete the job information and thedata subjected to the job after completing the job.

[0035] With this configuration, a more user-friendly and convenientapparatus can be realized.

[0036] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a fifth imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be output as visible data, the data to be output beingread out from a portable storage medium in which the data to be outputis stored as the data file, includes: portable storage medium accessmeans for accessing the portable storage medium to read out the data tobe output; processing capability detection means for detecting whetheror not the data in the data file to be output is required for processingmore than a processing capability of the image output apparatus tooutput the data as visual data; and notification means for, when theprocessing capability detection means detects that the data in the datafile to be output is required for processing more than the processingcapability, notifying a user that outputting of the image cannot be donebased on the detection result.

[0037] According to this fifth image output apparatus, in the case ofoffline printing and if the data to be printed, which is stored in theportable storage medium, cannot be processed for printing with theprinter, the user is notified of the reason why the printing cannot bedone. Therefore, this apparatus can offer the user an opportunity toregenerate data to be printed or to change a printer used. As thisnotification method for the user, for example, it is preferable todisplay a message on a liquid crystal display provided at an operationsection of the printer, or to print a report on another sheet.

[0038] In the above fifth image output apparatus, it is preferable thatthe data in the data file to be output is color image data, and thenotification means refers to information on a color space of the colorimage data in the data file to be output and notifies the user that thecolor image data cannot be output as visual data by the image outputapparatus due to the color space.

[0039] In addition, in the above fifth image output apparatus, it ispreferable that the data in the data file to be output is image data,and the notification means refers to information on an encoding methodof the image data in the data file to be output and notifies the userthat the image data cannot be output as visual data by the image outputapparatus due to the encoding method.

[0040] Furthermore, in the above fifth image output apparatus, it ispreferable that the data in the data file to be output is image data,the image output apparatus further includes image formation means forprinting out the image data onto a recording medium as the visual data,and the notification means refers to a size of the image data in thedata file to be output and notifies the user that the image data cannotbe printed out as visual data due to the size of the image data. In thiscase, it is preferable that the fifth image output apparatus furtherincludes resolution conversion means for converting the image data intoimage data with a low resolution, and the notification means asks theuser whether or not to print out the image data with the low resolutionconverted by the resolution conversion means onto the recording mediumas visual data, thereby allowing the user to confirm.

[0041] According to these configurations, if the paper size is smallerthan the size of the image data, by notifying the user that the printingcannot be done or confirming for the user whether reduction printing isacceptable, this apparatus can offer the user an opportunity to conductprinting by another printer capable of using a larger sheet size or canprevent the user from being given the misunderstanding that the size ofthe original image data stored in the portable storage medium is a sizeas a result of the reduction printing.

[0042] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a sixth imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which prints outdata in a data file as visible data, the data to be printed being readout from a portable storage medium in which the data to be printed isstored as the data file and the data in the data file to be printedbeing image data, includes: portable storage medium access means foraccessing the portable storage medium to read out the image data to beprinted; image enlargement means for enlarging a size of the image data;image formation means for printing out the image data onto a recordingmedium as the visible data; and printing notification means for, whenthe size of the image data is smaller than a size of the recordingmedium, notifying a user that the size of the image data has beenenlarged by the image enlargement means and the enlarged image data hasbeen printed out onto the recording medium by the image formation means.

[0043] According to this sixth image output apparatus, if the size ofthe image data is smaller than the paper size, by confirming for a userwhether enlargement printing is acceptable, this apparatus can preventthe user from being given the misunderstanding that the size of theoriginal image data stored in the portable storage medium is a size as aresult of the enlargement printing.

[0044] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a seventh imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which prints outdata in a data file as visible data, the data to be printed being readout from a portable storage medium in which the data to be printed isstored as the data file and the data in the data file to be printedbeing image data, includes: portable storage medium access means foraccessing the portable storage medium to read out the image data to beprinted; image reduction means for reducing a size of the image data;image formation means for printing out the image data onto a recordingmedium as the visible data; and printing notification means for, whenthe size of the image data is larger than a size of the recordingmedium, notifying a user that the size of the image data has beenreduced by the image reduction means and the reduced image data has beenprinted out onto the recording medium by the image formation means.

[0045] According to this seventh image output apparatus, if the size ofthe image data is larger than the paper size, by confirming for a userwhether reduction printing is acceptable, this apparatus can prevent theuser from being given the misunderstanding that the size of the originalimage data stored in the portable storage medium is a size as a resultof the reduction printing.

[0046] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, an eighth imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;image formation means for printing out the data in the data file to besubjected to the job onto a recording medium as the visual data; and jobdeletion confirmation means for, when a user instructs to stop printingbefore the image formation means finishes the printing up to a number ofcopies designated by the job information, confirming for the userwhether or not to delete the job information.

[0047] This eighth image output apparatus can offer a user anopportunity to select abandonment or suspension of the printing.

[0048] In order to fulfill the above-stated object, a ninth image outputapparatus according to the present invention, which outputs data in adata file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;and image formation means for printing out the data in the data file tobe subjected to the job onto a recording medium as the visual data,wherein when a user instructs to stop printing before the imageformation means finishes the printing up to a number of copiesdesignated by the job information, the number of jobs where printingnormally has been conducted is deducted from the designated number ofcopies.

[0049] This ninth image output apparatus can offer a user an opportunityto select abandonment or suspension of the printing, and also canenhance the accuracy in the number of copies after suspension, comparedwith the above seventh image output apparatus.

[0050] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a tenth imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;image formation means for printing out the data in the data file to besubjected to the job onto a recording medium as the visual data; and jobnumber reduction confirmation means for, when a user instructs to stopprinting before the image formation means finishes the printing up to anumber of copies designated by the job information, confirming with theuser whether or not to reduce the number of jobs where printing normallyhas been conducted from the designated number of copies.

[0051] This tenth image output apparatus can offer a user an opportunityto select abandonment or suspension of the printing, can enhance theaccuracy in the number of copies after suspension compared with theabove eighth image output apparatus and can improve the conveniencecompared with the above ninth image output apparatus.

[0052] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, an eleventh imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;and job execution selection means for, before commencing execution ofthe job, allowing a user to select execution, skip, or deletion of thejob.

[0053] According to this eleventh image output apparatus, when aplurality of printing jobs exist in the portable storage medium, andwhen the user will not execute all of the printing jobs using theprinter, the user can select execution of each of the printing jobs,which improves the convenience.

[0054] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a twelfth imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;and job parameters changing means for, before commencing execution ofthe job, allowing a user to change settings of parameters relating tothe job.

[0055] According to this twelfth image output apparatus, for example,even when the information for designating double-sided printing in thejob information does not designate the double-sided printing,designation for the double-sided printing can be done at the time ofexecution of the printing job, which eliminates the necessity ofregenerating job information.

[0056] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a thirteenth imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;and job information setting means for, before commencing execution ofthe job, allowing a user to set job information that is not included inthe job information corresponding to the job. In this case, thethirteenth image output apparatus further includes image formation meansfor printing out the data in the data file to be subjected to the jobonto a recording medium as the visual data, and the job information setby the job information setting means is paper handling information.

[0057] According to this thirteenth image output apparatus, for example,if the job information itself does not contain information fordesignating sorting and stapling but the printer has such functions, auser can utilize these functions at the execution of the printing jobusing a user interface of the printer.

[0058] In order to fulfill the above-stated objects, a fourteenth imageoutput apparatus according to the present invention, which outputs datain a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, includes: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read outcontents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the job file;and image formation means for printing out the data in the data file tobe subjected to the job onto a recording medium as the visual data,wherein the data stored in the portable storage medium is image dataobtained by reading an original image by an image reader, and the imagedata is printed out onto the recording medium by the image formationmeans, according to printing job information set by a user in the imagereader and stored corresponding to the image data.

[0059] According to this fourteenth image output apparatus, for example,at the office, when storing scanned image of hardcopy data into theportable storage medium using a scanner unit in the digital copyingmachine with both functions as a scanner and a printer, printing jobinformation is designated using a user interface of the digital copyingmachine, and the printing job information also is stored into theportable storage medium, and then the scanned image can be printed byinstalling the portable storage medium, in which the scanned image andthe corresponding printing job information are stored, into a digitalcopying machine provided at a business destination, which eliminates thenecessity of printing the scanned image data onto sheets and carryingthe sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0060]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of adigital copying machine according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0061]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a flow of signals in the digitalcopying machine shown in FIG. 1.

[0062]FIG. 3 shows directories and file configurations of data recordedin the memory card 124 shown in FIG. 1.

[0063]FIG. 4 shows a file configuration of the text manager fileDOCUMENT. PTM shown in FIG. 3.

[0064]FIG. 5A schematically shows a text manager file and an object textfile before adding a text data file.

[0065]FIG. 5B schematically shows a text manager file and an object textfile after adding a text data file.

[0066]FIG. 6 shows a file configuration of the multi-page image managerfile DOCUMENT. RIM shown in FIG. 3.

[0067]FIG. 7 shows a file configuration of the job file DOCUMENT. JOBshown in FIG. 3.

[0068]FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a system including a side equippedwith a memory card writer and a side equipped with a memory card readeraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0069]FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen for a user to select anoffline printer.

[0070]FIG. 10 shows an example of a dialog box for a user to setproperties of an offline printer.

[0071]FIG. 11 shows a screen for a user to select an offline projector.

[0072]FIG. 12 shows an example of dialog box for a user to setproperties of an offline projector.

[0073]FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen to confirm whether or not toprint monochrome data converted from color data.

[0074]FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen or a printed sheet to notifythat monochrome data converted from color data was printed.

[0075]FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen to confirm whether or not todelete both the print data and the print job information aftercompleting the print job.

[0076]FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen to confirm whether or not todelete only the print job information after completing the print job.

[0077]FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen to notify that the printer isnot ready for an optimum “A3” sheet size and the printing is put onhold.

[0078]FIG. 18 shows an example of a screen to confirm whether or notreduction printing onto “A4” sheet is acceptable because the printer isnot ready for an optimum “A3” sheet size.

[0079]FIG. 19 shows an example of a screen or a printed sheet to notifythat reduction printing was carried out.

[0080]FIG. 20 shows an example of a screen or a printed sheet to notifythat color data was converted into monochrome data and reductionprinting was carried out.

[0081]FIG. 21 shows an example of a screen to confirm whether or notenlargement printing onto “A4” sheet is acceptable because the printeris not ready for an optimum “B5” sheet size.

[0082]FIG. 22 shows an example of a screen or a printed sheet to notifythat enlargement printing was carried out.

[0083]FIG. 23 shows an example of a screen to confirm whether or not todelete the print job, when an instruction to stop printing in progressduring the printing of multiple copies is input.

[0084]FIG. 24 shows an example of screen to confirm whether or not toreduce the number of normally printed copies, when an instruction tostop printing in progress during the printing of multiple copies isinput.

[0085]FIG. 25 shows an example of a screen to select a print job to beexecuted from now among a plurality of printing jobs.

[0086]FIG. 26 shows an example of a screen to set the contents of aprint job when a scanner function of the digital copying machine isutilized.

[0087]FIG. 27 shows an example of screen to notify that the printingcannot be done because color of data to be printed cannot be reproducedby this printer.

[0088]FIG. 28 shows an example of screen to notify that the printingcannot be done because encoding method of data to be printed cannot beprocessed by this printer.

[0089]FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a flow of signals in aconventional digital copying machine.

[0090]FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a flow of signals in aconventional image reader.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0091] A digital copying machine as one example of an image outputapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail below, with reference to the drawings.

[0092]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing theinternal structure of a digital copying machine of this embodiment. Thisdigital copying machine includes an auto document feeder (ADF) 50provided on a document platen 1, an image scanner section 100 providedbeneath the document platen 1, a laser printer section 200 providedindependently beneath the image scanner section 100, and an operationsection 300 provided at the side of the document platen 1. The operationsection 300 is provided with a memory card slot 89 into which a memorycard 124 functioning as a portable storage medium is inserted.

[0093] The operation section 300 includes a control panel 301. Thecontrol panel 301 is provided with a liquid crystal display 302 with atouch panel (confirmation and notification means), a start button 303, astop button 304, a pause button 305 for copying, etc. and input buttons306 such as a numeric keypad.

[0094] The image scanner section 100 includes an exposure lamp 101, afirst mirror 102, a constant-speed unit 103, a second mirror 104, athird mirror 105, a half-speed unit 106, a lens 107 and an image sensor108.

[0095] The laser printer section 200 includes a laser scanner unit 201,a mirror 202, a photoconductor drum 203, a main charging device 204, adeveloping device 205, a transfer charging device 206, a cleaner 207, adischarging lamp 208, a carrier belt 209, a fixing device 210, a guide211, a paper ejection roller 212, paper feed rollers 213, 214 and 215, aguide 216, a timing roller 217, paper cassettes 218, 219 and 220, and asorter 221. The laser scanner unit 201 includes a semiconductor laser, apolygonal motor, a polygonal mirror, and a laser optic system.

[0096] The basic operation of this digital copying machine will bedescribed below.

[0097] A plurality of originals put on the ADF 50 are set downward onthe document platen 1, which is a transparent glass plate, one by one.When the exposure lamp 101 exposes an original, reflected light from theoriginal is reflected toward the second mirror 104 by the first mirror102. The constant-speed unit 103 including the exposure lamp 101 and thefirst mirror 102 moves in the direction of an arrow P at a constantspeed to scan the original. The half-speed unit 106 including the secondmirror 104 and the third mirror 105 further reflects the reflected lightfrom the first mirror 102 and moves in the same direction as that of theconstant-speed unit 103 at half the speed of the constant-speed unit103. The reflected light from the original through the half-speed unit106 is focused by the lens 107 to be focused on the image sensor 108.

[0098] The photoconductor drum 203 rotates in the direction of arrow Rat a constant speed. The main charging device 204 charges thephotoconductor drum 203 uniformly. A laser beam output from the laserscanner unit 201 is reflected by the mirror 202 to form an electrostaticlatent image on the photoconductor drum 203. The developing device 205develops the electrostatic latent image using a toner to form a tonerimage on the photoconductor drum 203.

[0099] The cassettes 218, 219 and 220 are removable, and plural types ofpaper having different combinations of paper sizes and orientations areheld in respective cassettes. The paper feed rollers 213, 214 and 215feed sheets of paper in the cassettes one by one. The guide 216 guidesthe fed paper to the timing roller 217. The timing roller 217 controlspaper feed timing so that the fed paper is in register with the tonerimage on the photoconductor drum 203. The toner image on thephotoconductor drum 203 is transferred onto the paper by the electricfield generated by the transfer charging device 206. The carrier belt209 moves in the direction of an arrow Q to carry the paper to thefixing device 210. The fixing device 210 fixes the toner on the paper byheat.

[0100] The paper output from the fixing device 210 is guided to thesorter 221 through the guide 211 and the paper ejection roller 212. Thesorter 221 includes a plurality of paper ejection trays (bins) andperforms sorting in copying for each copy. Furthermore, the sorter 221includes a staple function and a punch function. The cleaner 207 removesany residual toner on the photoconductor drum 203. The discharging lamp208 exposes the photoconductor drum 203 to eliminate the electric chargeon the photoconductor.

[0101] Next, a flow of signals in the digital copying machine of thisembodiment will be described, referring to a block diagram of FIG. 2.

[0102] In FIG. 2, reflected light from an original obtained by scanningthe original is converted to an electric signal by an image sensor 71,and then is converted to a digital image signal by an A/D converter 72.This digital image signal is subjected to image processing such as edgeenhancement, trimming, and halftone processing, and edit processing inan image processor 73. An image signal from the image processor 73 isstored in buffer memory 74 for controlling a speed to be output to alaser driver 78. The laser driver 78 drives a semiconductor laser 79,and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the drum by a laser beamfrom the semiconductor laser 79.

[0103] The buffer memory 74 is connected to page memory 84. The pagememory 84, a CPU 85, a LAN controller 80, a parallel I/F 81, acommunication control unit (CCU) 82, a compressor/expander 86, and amemory card controller 88 are mutually connected by a CPU bus 83.

[0104] The CPU 85 includes a RAM and a ROM and controls the entiredigital copying machine. The page memory 84 has capacity that can storeat least one page of image data. Image data stored in the page memory 84is output to the laser driver 78 through the buffer memory 74 to beprinted on paper.

[0105] The LAN controller 80 communicates with external equipmentthrough a local area network (LAN). When the digital copying machine isused as a facsimile transmission server, external equipment such as acomputer transmits the telephone number of a transmit destination andimage data to the digital copying machine through the LAN. The CPU 85controls the compressor/expander 86 to compress the image data receivedfrom the external equipment through the LAN as required.

[0106] The CCU 82 transmits the image data MH compressed by thecompressor/expander 86 to an external facsimile through a public networkusing a modem 87.

[0107] Also, using the parallel I/F 81, the digital copying machine andexternal equipment can be connected one to one. In this case, thedigital copying machine can be controlled from a nearby computer. Byexecuting dedicated software for controlling a digital copying machineon a computer connected to the digital copying machine, a copy mode suchas the numbers of pages and copies, a paper size, copy density, amagnification rate, both side copying, and a sorting method can be set.Also, complicated edit setting such as the setting of frame erasure or atrimming area, or the setting of the reversal and its area can be doneusing the display and the mouse of the computer.

[0108] Image data received by facsimile is expanded by thecompressor/expander 86, is transferred to the page memory 84, and isprinted out. Image data read for facsimile transmission is stored in thepage memory 84, then is compressed by the compressor/expander 86, and istransmitted to an external facsimile through the CCU 82 and the modem87.

[0109] The memory card controller 88 (portable storage medium accessmeans) controls an access from the CPU 85 to the memory card 124installed in a memory card slot 89. If a job file storing print jobinformation and a data file to be printed exist in the memory card 124installed into the memory card slot 89, this digital copying machineprints data in the data file to be printed according to the contents ofthe job file.

[0110] Note here that since the digital copying machine of thisembodiment is for monochrome copying, when the CPU 85 (imagediscrimination means) discriminates that the data to be printed, whichis stored in the memory card 124, is color image data, then the colorimage data read out from the memory card 124 is stored in the pagememory 84 and is converted into monochrome image data by acolor/monochrome conversion circuit 90. Thereafter, a message isdisplayed on the liquid crystal display 302 with a touch panel in thecontrol panel 301 of the operation section 300 so as to confirm with auser whether or not to print the image data even in monochrome althoughthe original image data is color. Thereby, the user is allowed torecognize that the original image data is color image data. After theuser inputs an instruction of “OK” to print the image data even inmonochrome, the monochrome printing of the monochrome image data iscarried out. When the user inputs an instruction of “Cancel” ofprinting, the print job is completed. FIG. 13 shows an example of ascreen displayed on the touch panel 302 at this time.

[0111] Alternatively, first of all, the monochrome image data convertedfrom the color image data is printed in monochrome, and then a messagethat conversion into monochrome and printing was done is displayed onthe touch panel 302. Otherwise, after conversion into monochrome andprinting is done, a report notifying that conversion into monochrome andprinting was done is printed out. FIG. 14 shows an example of a screendisplayed on the touch panel 302 or of a printed sheet for report atthis time. In FIG. 14, a message that “At pages 2, 4 and 5, color datawere converted into monochrome data and printed.”, is shown as oneexample.

[0112] In this case, the digital copying machine functions as an offlineprinter.

[0113] The above-stated discrimination by the CPU 85 as to whether theimage data stored in the memory card 124 is color or monochrome is donebased on whether or not a page including color image data exists aftersearching image data included in all of the pages. However, as describedlater, if image management information concerning image data to beprinted is stored as a manager file in the memory card 124, thendiscrimination about color/monochrome can be done easily by checkingmanagement information (color space of the image data) in the managerfile, which shows whether or not the image data to be printed includescolor pages.

[0114] Note here that although the above case describes the digitalcopying machine equipped with the memory card slot 89, the presentinvention is applicable to a display apparatus equipped with a memorycard slot, e.g., a liquid crystal projector. In such a case, if a jobfile storing display job information and a data file to be displayedexist in the memory card 124 installed into the memory card slot, thisliquid crystal projector displays data in the data file to be displayedaccording to the contents of the job file. In this case, the liquidcrystal projector functions as an offline display.

[0115] Specific functions according to the job file in an image outputapparatus such as the above-stated offline printer and offline displaywill be described later in detail.

[0116] The following describes a configuration of a file stored in thememory card 124, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0117]FIG. 3 shows directories and file configurations of data recordedin the memory card 124.

[0118] In FIG. 3, there is a directory DOCUMENT under a root directory(ROOT), under which all of the files according to this embodiment arelocated. Under the directory DOCUMENT, a directory for text data files(TEXT), a directory for multi-page image data files (RASTER) and adirectory for job files (JOB) are located.

[0119] The directory for text data files (TEXT) includes a plurality oftext data files TXT00001.TXT, TXT00002.TXT, etc., and one text managerfile DOCUMENT. PTM (Plain Text Manager) for managing each of the textdata files. Note here that the numerical portion of the data file namesindicates a file number.

[0120]FIG. 4 shows a file configuration of the text manager fileDOCUMENT. PTM.

[0121] In FIG. 4, the text manager file DOCUMENT. PTM is configured witha header having a fixed size, which is necessarily provided, and aplurality of text management information blocks #1 to #n each having afixed size, which optionally can be added or deleted. Here, #1 to #nindicate block numbers.

[0122] The header includes the following information:

[0123] the number of text management information blocks existing in thetext manager file;

[0124] the number of used text management information blocks among theexisting blocks; and

[0125] the first used block number indicating the text managementinformation block that firstly becomes used.

[0126] Each of the text management information blocks includes thefollowing information:

[0127] discrimination information for used text management informationblock indicating whether or not a text management information block isused, corresponding to whether a text data file managed by the textmanagement information exists or not;

[0128] version information concerning a format of the text managementinformation;

[0129] the first character code class information on text data used in atext data file;

[0130] the second character code class information on text data used ina text management information block;

[0131] a file number of an object text data file;

[0132] data source such as output mail, input mail and an address book;

[0133] comments on a text data file;

[0134] original file name before the conversion of a text data file intothe above-described TXTxxxxx. TXT, where xxxxx denotes a file number;

[0135] creation date of the original file name;

[0136] reservation area for extension;

[0137] the previous used text management information block number (ifthere is no previous text management information block, 0 is entered);and

[0138] the next used text management information block number (if thereis no next text management information block, 0 is entered).

[0139] In the thus configured text manager file, text data files andtheir corresponding text management information can be storedefficiently by using the first used block number included in the header,discrimination information for used text management information blocks,the previous used block number and the next used block number includedin each of the text management information blocks #1 to #n. As anexample, the following describes a case where a text data file is added,with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0140]FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively are schematic diagrams showing thetext manager file and object text files before and after adding a textdata file. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the next used text management informationblock number in a text management information block is indicated by anarrow illustrated with a solid line, and the previous used textmanagement information block number in the same is indicated by an arrowillustrated by a dashed line.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 5A, firstly, the header shows #1 as the firstused block number. Then, by referring to #3 as the next used blocknumber in the text management information block #1, it can be found thatthe text management information block #2 located between the textmanagement information blocks #1 and #3 is not used.

[0142] Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the text management informationblock #2, the discrimination information for used text managementinformation block is changed from “unused” to “used”, and the previousused block number is set at “#3” and the next used block number is setat “#0”. Subsequently, the next used block number in the text managementinformation block #3 is changed from “#0” to “#2”.

[0143] Next, 1 is added to the number of used text managementinformation blocks in the header, and then the text data file is storedas a file name of TXT00002. TXT.

[0144] In this way, the inclusion of the previous used block number andthe next used block number in each of the text management informationblocks enables the construction of a file configuration having abi-directional list configuration, so that text data files and theircorresponding text management information can be stored in the memorycard 124 efficiently.

[0145] In addition, the directory for multi-page image data files(RASTER) shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of multi-page image datafiles TIF00001. TIF, TIF00002. TIF, etc., and one image manager fileDOCUMENT. RIM (Raster Image Manager) for managing each of the multi-pageimage data files. As a format of the multi-page image files, generallyavailable TIFF (Tag Image File Format) by Adobe is used.

[0146]FIG. 6 shows a file configuration of the image manager fileDOCUMENT. RIM.

[0147] In FIG. 6, the image manager file DOCUMENT. RIM is configuredwith a header having a fixed size, which is necessarily provided, and aplurality of image management information blocks #1 to #n, each having afixed size, which can be optionally added or deleted. Here, #1 to #nindicate block numbers.

[0148] The header includes the following information:

[0149] the number of image management information blocks existing in theimage manager file;

[0150] the number of used image management information blocks among theexisting blocks; and

[0151] the first used block number indicating the image managementinformation block that firstly becomes used.

[0152] Each of the image management information blocks includes thefollowing information:

[0153] discrimination information for used image management informationblock indicating whether an image management information block is usedor not, where the information corresponds to whether a multi-page imagedata file managed by the image management information exists or not;

[0154] version information concerning a format of the image managementinformation;

[0155] the first character code class information on character data usedin a multi-page image data file;

[0156] the second character code class information on character dataused in a image management information block;

[0157] a file number of an object multi-page image data file;

[0158] data source such as a PC, an image scanner and a facsimile;

[0159] comments on a multi-page image data file;

[0160] original file name before the conversion of a multi-page imagedata file into the above-described TXTxxxxx. TIF, where xxxxx denotes afile number;

[0161] creation date of the original file name;

[0162] encoding method adopted in multi-page image data, such as JPEG,JBIG and MH (a plurality of encoding methods can be set becausedifferent encoding methods might be adopted for each page);

[0163] color space adopted in multi-page image data, such as YCbCr andLa*b* and color/monochrome discrimination information (a plurality ofcolor spaces can be set because different color spaces are adopted foreach page);

[0164] the total page number of multi-page image data reservation areafor extension;

[0165] the previous used image management information block number (ifthere is no previous image management information block, 0 is entered);and

[0166] the next used image management information block number (if thereis no next image management information block, 0 is entered).

[0167] The image manager file also has the same bi-directional listconfiguration as in the text manager file and therefore has the sameadvantages.

[0168] In addition, the directory for job files (JOB) shown in FIG. 3includes one job file DOCUMENT. JOB for executing a procedure such asdisplaying and printing with respect to a plurality of text data filesand a plurality of multi-page image data files.

[0169]FIG. 7 shows a file configuration of the job file DOCUMENT. JOB.

[0170] In FIG. 7, the job file DOCUMENT. JOB is configured with a headerhaving a fixed size, which is necessarily provided, and a plurality ofjob information blocks #1 to #n, each having a fixed size, which can beoptionally added or deleted. Here, #1 to #n indicate block numbers.

[0171] The header of the job file includes the following information:

[0172] the number of job information blocks existing in the job file;

[0173] the number of used job information blocks among the existingblocks; and

[0174] the first used block number indicating the job information blockthat firstly becomes used.

[0175] Each of the job information blocks includes the followinginformation:

[0176] discrimination information for used job information blockindicating whether a job information block is used or not;

[0177] version information concerning a format of the job information;

[0178] character code class information on character data used in thejob file;

[0179] job type information indicating a type of job to be carried out,such as display and print;

[0180] a type of an object data file indicating that the data filesubjected to the job is a text data file or a multi-page image datafile;

[0181] a file number of a data file subjected to the job;

[0182] job erase information indicating whether or not to erase jobinformation after the job is carried out normally;

[0183] job/data erase information indicating whether or not to eraseboth job information and a data file subjected to the job after the jobis carried out normally;

[0184] continuation print information indicating, when small amount oftext data such as e-mail has been printed on a printed sheet in theprevious print job, whether or not to print small amount of text datasuch as e-mail in the current print job continuously on the printedsheet;

[0185] the number of execution of a job such as printing in pluralcopies;

[0186] job execution starting page and job execution ending page, whichare effective only for multi-page image data files;

[0187] comments on a job;

[0188] creation date of the job;

[0189] reservation area for extension;

[0190] the previous used job information block number (if there is noprevious job information block, 0 is entered); and

[0191] the next used job information block number (if there is no nextjob information block, 0 is entered).

[0192] The job file also has the same bi-directional list configurationas in the text and the image manager files, whereby especially theaddition and the deletion of jobs can be conducted easily.

[0193] The following describes specific examples of writing a text or animage data file, a manager file storing management informationcorresponding to the data file and a job file storing job informationinto the memory card 124 and reading out text or image data to besubjected to a job according to the job information so as to carry out aprocedure such as print and display.

[0194]FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a system including a side equippedwith a memory card writer and a side equipped with a memory card readeraccording to this embodiment.

[0195] In FIG. 8, the memory card writer side includes a notebook PC 11provided with a writer for creating text or image data and writing thedata onto the memory card 124, a mobile phone 12 provided with a writerfor writing received e-mail onto the memory card 124, an image scanner15 provided with a writer connected to a desktop PC 14 and for readingan original image and writing it onto the memory card 124 and the like.

[0196] The memory card read side includes a digital copying machine 16for printing text or image data, a liquid crystal projector 17 fordisplaying image data and the like.

[0197] Reference numeral 18 denotes a facsimile for home use, which hasboth functions of writing received data onto the memory card 124 andreading out data written on the memory card 124 to print out.

[0198] Offline Printing Function From the Notebook PC 11

[0199] First, a function of offline-printing data using the digitalcopying machine 16, where the data is created by a user with thenotebook PC 11, will be described in the following.

[0200] The user creates a document using application software forcreating document, such as word processor or desk top publishing (DTP)software executed on the notebook PC 11.

[0201] Next, the memory card 124 is installed into a memory card slotprovided in the notebook PC 11 in order to allow the created documentdata to be converted into image data using printer driver software forthe memory card that is installed beforehand and to be written onto thememory card 124. At this procedure, as in the case of the text datadescribed referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, image management informationcorresponding to the image data is stored into an image manager fileDOCUMENT. RIM. To this end, first, an unused image managementinformation block (assuming it to be the block number #2) is retrieved.Then, the image management information as shown in FIG. 6 is stored inthe text management information block #2 and the image data is stored asan image data file TIF0002. TIF. In this case, in the image managementinformation block #2, for example, “00002” is set in “file number of anobject image file” and a predetermined parameter indicating image datacreated using the PC 11 is set in “data source”.

[0202] When image data created by a user is printed offline using thedigital copying machine 16, first of all, the user makes a userinterface display a screen for selecting an output apparatus (offlineprinter) driver on a screen of the notebook PC 11 so as to select theoffline printer on the screen. In addition, the user selects any one of“all pages”, “current page” and “selected pages” in the section ofprinting range. In the case of FIG. 9, the printing of “all pages” isselected, which is indicated by the circle-solid mark. “10” is set inthe section of copies.

[0203] Next, the user selects the box of properties for the offlineprinter so as to display on a screen of a personal computer a dialog boxfor setting a print job of the digital copying machine 16.

[0204]FIG. 10 shows an example of the dialog box for the offlineprinter. The following describes the contents to be selected in thedialog box shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, items indicated by circle-solidmarks are selected contents for printing.

[0205] 1. Paper size: selecting from A5, B5, A4, B4, and A3:

[0206] 2. Page orientation: selecting from Portrait and Landscape:

[0207] 3. Resolution: selecting from 200 DPI(Dot Per Inch), 300 DPI and600 DPI:

[0208] 4. Both sided printing: selecting from No and Yes:

[0209] 5. Color: as for the image data, selecting from Monochrome andColor. In the case of monochrome, an encoding method is selected fromMH, MR, MMR and JBIG. In the case of color, an image quality is selectedfrom High quality (Low compression), Normal and High compression (Lowquality), and a color space is selected from YCbCr and La*b*. Note herethat in the case of color, the encoding method applicable is JBIG only,and therefore there are no options for the encoding method butquantizing tables used for JPEG encoding are changed based on theselection of the image quality:

[0210] 6. Procedure after printing: selecting from “delete both the joband the print data”, “delete the job and leave the print data” and “notdelete either the job or the print data”.

[0211] After setting each of the items in the dialog box, the userclicks an OK button with a mouse. The printer driver produces a job filebased on the settings in the dialog box and stores it into the memorycard 124. Here, assuming that a new job file is created and stored inthe job information block #1 shown in FIG. 7, the contents of the jobfile, which corresponds to the settings in the dialog box shown in FIG.10, will be described in the following.

[0212] At a header of the job file, since there is no need to add a jobinformation block, a default value is set in “the number of existing jobinformation blocks”. Since the job information block #1 only is used,“1” is set in “the number of used job information blocks; and “1” is setin “the first used block number”, corresponding to the job informationblock #1 of the produced job information.

[0213] Additionally, in the job information block #1, a flag “1”indicating “used” is set in “the discrimination information for used jobinformation block”. The memory card standard number supported by thewriter for this job is set in “the version information” and a charactercode class number such as ASCII codes and shift JIS, which is used inthe job file, is set in “the character code class information”.

[0214] A flag “0” indicating “print” is set in “the job typeinformation”, a flag “1” indicating “image data” is set in “the type ofa data file to be processed” (in the case of text data, “0” is set), and“00002” is set in “the file number of a data file subjected to the job”,which corresponds to the data file name TIF00002. TIF to be subjected tothe job.

[0215] Flags “0” and “1” respectively are set in “the job eraseinformation” and in “the job/data erase information”, because aselection is made to erase both the job and the print data. When “deletethe job and leave the print data” is selected in the dialog box shown inFIG. 10, then flags “1” and “0” respectively are set in the “the joberase information” and in “the job/data erase information”, and when“not delete either the job or the print data” is selected, flags “0” and“0” respectively are set in the “the job erase information” and in “thejob/data erase information”.

[0216] A flag “0” is set in “the continuation print information”,because this function is not used for offline-printing of the datacreated using the notebook PC 11.

[0217] A parameter “10” is set in “the number of executions of a job”,because the user inputs “10” in the box of Copies on the screen forprinting shown in FIG. 9. Since the user selects “all pages”, “1” as thestarting page and the ending page of the created multi-page image dataare set in “the job execution starting page” and “the job executionending page”, respectively. In both “the previous used block number” and“the next used block number”, “0” is set, because this job informationis firstly stored.

[0218] The user, as shown in FIG. 8, removes the memory card 124 fromthe user's notebook PC 11 and then inserts it into the memory card slot89 in the digital copying machine 16, where the memory card 124 holdsthe multi-page image data file TIF00002. TIF, the manager file in whichimage management information corresponding to the data file isdescribed, and the job file in which the print job information on theobject image data is described.

[0219] The CPU 85 in the digital copying machine 16 (FIG. 2) detects theinstallation of the memory card 124 via the memory card controller 88and conducts a search as to whether the job file in which the print jobinformation is described exists in the memory card 124 or not. If thejob file exists, the CPU 85 analyzes the print job information in thejob file for making settings required for control circuits in the laserprinter section 200 and the sorter 221. In this case, the setting isdone so as to carry out “double-sided printing ” of an “A4” sized sheetin “Portrait” orientation, of “10” copies, and with the resolution of“600 DPI”.

[0220] The CPU 85 refers to the multi-page image data file name(TIF00002. TIF) designated by the print job information in the job fileand makes read out the multi-page image data file TIF00002. TIF from thememory card 124 to print out it.

[0221] When all of the printing output designated by the job file iscompleted, the CPU 85 gives the user a message for confirming whether ornot to erase both the print job information and the image data filesubjected to the job, which are stored in the memory card 124, based onthe flags “0” and “1” in the “the job erase information” and in “thejob/data erase information”. Then only when the user inputs aninstruction of OK to erase them, both the print job information and theimage data file subjected to the job are erased. FIG. 15 shows anexample of a screen displayed on the touch panel 302 during thisprocedure. As shown in FIG. 15, before commencing the execution of thejob, settings of parameters for the print job information can bechanged.

[0222] Note here that the above-described example deals with the casewhere flags in “the job erase information” and in “the job/data eraseinformation” are set at “0” and “1”, respectively. However, when theflags in “the job erase information” and in “the job/data eraseinformation” are set to be “1” and “0”, respectively, a message is givento the user to confirm whether or not to erase only the print jobinformation. Then, only when the user inputs an instruction of OK toerase it, the print job information is erased. FIG. 16 shows an exampleof a screen displayed on the touch panel 302 during this procedure. Asshown in FIG. 16, before commencing the execution of the job, settingsof parameters for the print job information can be changed.

[0223] Although the maximum size of the print sheet equipped with thedigital copying machine 16 is A3, there might be only an A4 printer at alocation where the user wishes to print offline. When the CPU 85 judgesthat a size of the image data to be printed is larger than A4 sheet,based on the information on the image width and the image length in TAGinformation added to each page of the multi-page image data fileTIF00002. TIF stored in the memory card 124, the user is notified thatprinting cannot be done because the size of the image data is largerthan A4 and other printers should be used (See FIG. 17) or in the caseof the printer provided with an image reduction function such as theenlargement/reduction circuit 91 shown in FIG. 2, a message to confirmwith the user whether reduction printing is OK is displayed (See FIG.18). When the user inputs an instruction of OK to print, the reductionprinting is carried out. On the other hand, when the user inputs aninstruction of Cancel of printing, the print job is not executed.Alternatively, after the completion of the reduction printing, a messagethat “At pages 2, 5 and 6, reduction printing from A3 to A4 was carriedout” is printed for report (See FIG. 19). Note here that as for thereport, plural kinds of messages may be printed on one sheet. Forexample, the above-stated messages that “the color data was convertedinto monochrome” and “reduction printing from A3 to A4 was carried out.”may be printed as one report (See FIG. 20).

[0224] On the other hand, when the CPU 85 judges that the size of theimage data to be printed is suitable for a B5 sheet size smaller thanA4, based on the information on the image width and the image length inTAG information added to each page of the multi-page image data fileTIF00002. TIF stored in the memory card 124, but it is not ready for B5sheet size, a message to confirm with the user whether enlargementprinting using an image enlargement function (zoom) of theenlargement/reduction circuit 91 shown in FIG. 2 is OK is displayed (SeeFIG. 21). When the user inputs an instruction of OK to print, theenlargement printing is carried out. On the other hand, when the userinputs an instruction of Cancel of printing, the print job is notcarried out. Alternatively, after the completion of the enlargementprinting, a message that “At pages 2, 5 and 6, enlargement printing wascarried out” is printed for report (See FIG. 22).

[0225] In addition, in spite of the setting in the job execution numberas the job information in the job file stored in the memory card 124,i.e., the number of copies being set at “10”, when the user gives aninstruction to stop printing in progress of the printing of “10” copies,the user is notified as to whether or not to delete the job informationconcerning the job execution number (See FIG. 23) so as to confirm forthe user whether to abandon or suspend the printing. In the case ofabandonment, the job information is deleted and in the case ofsuspension, the job information is kept and the job is not carried out.

[0226] Alternatively, when the user gives an instruction to stopprinting in progress of the printing of “10” copies, “the job executionnumber” in the corresponding job information in the job file isrewritten so as to reduce the number of normally printed copies from thejob execution number of “10”. Thereby, the accuracy of the number ofcopies after the suspension of the printing can be improved.

[0227] Alternatively, when the user gives an instruction to stopprinting in progress of the printing of “10” copies, the user isnotified as to whether or not to reduce the number of normally printedcopies from the job execution number of “10” (See FIG. 24) andconfirmation is issued to the user for abandonment or suspension of theprinting. In the case of the abandonment, “the job execution number” inthe corresponding job information in the job file is rewritten so as toreduce the job number. On the other hand, in the case of the suspension,the job information is kept and the job is not carried out. Thisconfiguration offers convenience for selection to users.

[0228] Further, when a plurality of print jobs exist in the memory card124, the user can select not all of the print jobs but any one of themand execute the job. In this case, as shown in FIG. 25, beforecommencing the print job, the contents of all set jobs are displayed onthe liquid crystal display 302 with a touch panel, which allows the userto select execution, skip, or deletion for each of the print jobs. Then,only the print jobs for which “execution” is selected by the user areexecuted. As for the print jobs for which “skip” is selected, the jobinformation thereof is kept, and as for the print jobs for which“deletion” is selected, the job information is deleted. This improvesthe convenience to users because the user can select only the jobs thatthe user wishes to execute currently and then can execute the selectedprint jobs.

[0229] Moreover, before commencing the execution of the print job, theuser can change the setting of parameters on the print job informationusing a user interface on the liquid crystal display 302 with a touchpanel, e.g., “double-sided printing” in the print job information can bechanged into “single-sided printing” or the number of copies can bechanged (See FIG. 13). This eliminates the necessity for the user toregenerate the job information.

[0230] In addition, before commencing the execution of the print job,when the user wishes to execute contents of jobs that are not includedin the job information in the job file, such as functions of sorting andstapling, the user can make the setting for such functions using a userinterface on the liquid crystal display 302 with a touch panel beforethe execution of the printing (See FIG. 13).

[0231] With these configurations, especially as in the case of thenotebook PC 11 equipped with the memory card writer that is notconnected to external equipment through LAN or the like but is carriedfor use, for example, even when the user wishes to create document dataat a place other than his/her desk in the office and print it outimmediately to prepare material for presentation to customers, the usereasily can offline print the desired document data at a service shopproviding the digital copying machine 16 equipped with the memory cardreader, such as at a convenience store.

[0232] In addition, when the user, who does not possess a printer athome, wishes to do simple printing, also, the user easily can offlineprint document data created using the notebook PC 11 equipped with amemory card writer, by providing and connecting a memory card readerwith the facsimile for home use 18.

[0233] Offline Display Function From the Notebook PC 11

[0234] Next, the following describes a function of offline displayingdata with the liquid crystal projector 17, where the data is created bya user with the notebook PC 11.

[0235] The user creates a document using application software forcreating documents, such as word processor or desk top publishing (DTP)software executed on the notebook PC 11.

[0236] Next, the memory card 124 is installed into a memory card slotprovided in the notebook PC 11 in order to allow the created documentdata to be converted into image data using printer driver software forthe memory card that is installed beforehand and to be written onto thememory card 124. During this procedure, when color image data iscreated, for example, image management information corresponding to thecolor image data has to be stored into an image manager file DOCUMENT.RIM. To this end, first, an unused image management information block(assuming it as the block number #2) is retrieved. Then, the imagemanagement information as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the imagemanagement information block #2 and the color image data is stored as amulti-page image data file TIF0002. TIF. In this case, in the imagemanagement information block #2, “0002” is set in “file number of anobject image file”, a predetermined parameter indicating image datacreated using a PC is set in “data source”, a flag indicating that allpages include image data encoded by JPEG is set in “encoding methodadopted in image data”, and a flag indicating color and YCbCr is set in“color space of image data”.

[0237] When image data created by a user is displayed offline using theliquid crystal projector 17, first of all, the user makes a userinterface display a screen for selecting an output apparatus (offlineprojector) driver on a screen of the notebook PC 11 so as to select theoffline projector on the screen, as shown in FIG. 11. In addition, theuser selects any one of “all pages”, “current page” and “selected pages”in the section of display range. In the case of FIG. 9, the displayingof “all pages” is selected, which is indicated by the circle-solid mark.

[0238] Next, the user selects the box of properties for the offlineprojector so as to display on a screen of a personal computer a dialogbox for setting a print job of the liquid crystal projector 17.

[0239]FIG. 12 shows an example of the dialog box for the offlineprojector. The following describes the contents to be selected in thedialog box shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, items indicated by circle-solidmarks are selected contents for display.

[0240] 1. Display size: selecting from “640×480”, “800×600” and“1024×768”, each of which indicates the number of pixels alonghorizontal direction×the number of scanning lines along verticaldirection;

[0241] 2. Page orientation: fixed at “landscape”;

[0242] 3. Color: as for the image data, selecting from “Monochrome” and“Color”. In the case of “monochrome”, an encoding method is selectedfrom MH, MR, MMR and JBIG. In the case of “color”, an image quality isselected from High quality (Low compression), Normal and Highcompression (Low quality), and a color space is selected from YCbCr andLa*b*.

[0243] After setting each of the items in the dialog box, the userclicks an OK button with a mouse. The printer driver produces amulti-page image data file and a job file based on the settings in thedialog box and stores them into the memory card 124. Here, assuming thata new job file is created and stored in the job information block #1shown in FIG. 7, the contents of the job file, which corresponds to thesettings in the dialog box shown in FIG. 12, will be described in thefollowing.

[0244] At a header of the job file, since there is no need to add a jobinformation block, a default value is set in “the number of existing jobinformation blocks”. Since the job information block #1 only is used,“1” is set in “the number of used job information blocks; and “1” is setin “the first used block number”, corresponding to the job informationblock #1 in the produced job information.

[0245] Additionally, in the job information block #1, a flag “1”indicating “used” is set in “the discrimination information for used jobinformation block”. The version number of the format of the jobinformation supported by the writer for this job is set in “the versioninformation” and a character code class number such as ASCII codes andshift JIS, which is used in the job file, is set in “the character codeclass information”

[0246] A flag “1” indicating “display” is set in “the job typeinformation”, a flag “1” indicating “image data” is set in “the type ofan object data file”, and “0002” is set in “the file number of an objectdata file”, which corresponds to the data file name TIF00002. TIF to besubjected to the job.

[0247] In both “the previous used block number” and “the next used blocknumber”, “0” is set because this job information is firstly stored.

[0248] The user, as shown in FIG. 8, removes the memory card 124 fromthe user's notebook PC 11 and then inserts it into the memory card slotin the liquid crystal projector 17, where the memory card 124 holds themulti-page image data file TIF00002. TIF, the manager file in whichimage management information corresponding to the data file isdescribed, and the job file in which the display job information on theobject image data is described.

[0249] The CPU (not shown) in the liquid crystal projector 17 detectsthat the installation of the memory card 124 via the memory cardcontroller and conducts a search as to whether the job file in which thedisplay job information is described exists in the memory card 124 ornot. If a plurality of job files exist, the CPU displays a list ofmanagement information and job information on the files to be displayed.Then, the user selects a job to be executed with a remote control unit.The CPU analyzes the display job information in the job file for makingrequired settings. In this case, the setting is done so as to display inthe size of “640×480”, which indicates the number of pixels alonghorizontal direction×the number of scanning line along verticaldirection.

[0250] The CPU in the liquid crystal projector refers to the multi-pageimage data file name (TIF00002. TIF) designated by the display jobinformation in the job file and reads out the multi-page image data fileTIF00002. TIF from the memory card 124 to display it.

[0251] With this configuration, when the user wishes to use documentdata created with the notebook PC 11 equipped with the memory cardwriter as material for presentation to customers or at the meeting inthe company, the user easily can offline display the desired documentdata without using the personal computer but by preparing the liquidcrystal projector 17 equipped with the memory card reader at the site.

[0252] Note here that although the above-description refers to offlineprint and offline display using the notebook PC as typical examples,image data read using the image scanner 15 equipped with a memory cardwriter at the office can be written onto the memory card 124, and theimage data can be offline displayed with the liquid crystal display 17equipped with the memory card reader when making a presentation at ameeting, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0253] In addition, image data read using a hand scanner connected tothe facsimile 18 for home use equipped with the memory card writer canbe written onto the memory card, and the image data can be captured intothe notebook PC 11 equipped with the memory card reader.

[0254] Furthermore, when storing scanned image of hardcopy data into thememory card 124 using a scanner unit in the digital copying machine 16provided with both functions as a scanner and a printer, print jobinformation is designated using a user interface of the digital copyingmachine 16 (See FIG. 26), and the print job information also is storedin the memory card 124. Then, the scanned image can be printed byinstalling the memory card 124, in which the scanned image and thecorresponding print job information are stored, into a digital copyingmachine provided at a business destination. This can eliminate thenecessity of printing the scanned image data onto sheets and carryingthe sheets.

[0255] The above-description deals with an example of offline printingor offline displaying image data. Meanwhile, examples of offlineprinting text data include offline printing of e-mail received by themobile phone 12 equipped with the memory card writer. In this case, themobile phone stores e-mail to be printed as a text file into the memorycard and then updates DOCUMENT. PTM (Plain Text Manager) and jobinformation. In this procedure, since the received e-mail contains smallamount of data, the user may wish to offline print a plurality pieces ofe-mail data continuously on the same sheet. To this end, “continuationprint information” is used as the job information shown in FIG. 7, wherea flag “1” should be set. When the memory card in which the text dataand the job information for printing the text data are stored isinstalled into the printer, then the printer prints the text data on asheet using font data stored in the printer.

[0256] In addition, document data created using the PC is converted intomulti-page image data using a printer driver, and the converted data istransmitted to the mobile phone 12 equipped with the memory card writeras an attached file by e-mail. Then, the mobile phone stores theattached file into the memory card 124. This readily enables offlineprinting using a facsimile for home use and digital copying machinesprovided at the office or a service shop, which are equipped with amemory card reader.

[0257] While the memory card 124 is used as a removable storage mediumin this embodiment, similar effects can be obtained using a floppy disk,optical disk, a removable hard disk, etc.

[0258] Also, while a monochrome digital copying machine is described inthis embodiment, the same is true for a color copying machine. In thiscase, it is preferable that the color copying machine includes means forsetting a color correction factor in accordance with color space foreach page of the multi-page image data. However, in the case of offlineprinting using the printer that does not include the means for setting acolor correction factor, according to this embodiment, “color spaceinformation” included in the management information on the color imagedata to be printed is referred to. If printing by the printer used isimpossible due to the color space, the user is notified of suchinformation (See FIG. 27).

[0259] It is preferable that the offline printer includes decoding meansadaptable to various encoding methods of image data. However, in thecase of offline printing using the printer that does not include suchdecoding means, according to this embodiment, “encoding methodinformation” included in the management information on the image data tobe printed is referred to. If printing by the printer used is impossibledue to the encoding method, the user is notified of such information(See FIG. 28).

[0260] As described above, according to the present invention, an imageoutput apparatus can be realized which is readily applicable to adigital copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a liquid crystalprojector, a television set and the like and which is possible ofcarrying out offline print or display outputting of image and text dataautomatically and efficiently by recording the image and text datatogether with management information and job information having abi-directional list structure onto a removable and portable storagemedium.

1. An image output apparatus that prints out data in a data file asvisible data, the data in the data file being read out from a portablestorage medium in which the data to be printed is stored as the datafile, comprising: portable storage medium access means for accessing theportable storage medium to read out the data in the data file to beprinted; image discrimination means for discriminating whether the datain the data file to be printed, which is read out by the portablestorage medium access means, is color image data or monochrome imagedata; color/monochrome conversion means for converting color image datainto monochrome image data; monochrome image formation means forprinting out monochrome image data onto a recording medium as thevisible data; and print confirmation means for, when the imagediscrimination means discriminates that the data in the data file to beprinted is color image data, allowing a user to confirm whether or notto print out monochrome image data, which is converted from the colorimage data by the color/monochrome conversion means, by the monochromeimage formation means.
 2. An image output apparatus that prints out datain a data file as visible data, the data in the data file being read outfrom a portable storage medium in which the data to be printed is storedas the data file, comprising: portable storage medium access means foraccessing the portable storage medium to read out the data in the datafile to be printed; image discrimination means for discriminatingwhether the data in the data file to be printed, which is read out bythe portable storage medium access means, is color image data ormonochrome image data; color/monochrome conversion means for convertingcolor image data into monochrome image data; monochrome image formationmeans for printing out monochrome image data onto a recording medium asthe visible data; and print notification means for, when the imagediscrimination means discriminates that the data in the data file to beprinted is color image data, notifying a user that monochrome imagedata, which is converted from the color image data by thecolor/monochrome conversion means, has been printed out by themonochrome image formation means.
 3. An image output apparatus thatoutputs data in a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, thedata to be subjected to the job being read out from a portable storagemedium in which the data to be subjected to the job is stored as thedata file and job information for executing a predetermined procedurewith respect to the data file is stored as a job file, comprising:portable storage medium access means for accessing the portable storagemedium to read out contents of the data file to be subjected to the joband the job file; and job deletion confirmation means for, aftercompleting the job for the data file to be subjected to the job,confirming with a user whether or not to delete the job information. 4.The image output apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the jobinformation contains job deletion information indicating whether or notto delete the job information after completing the job, and the jobdeletion confirmation means makes the user confirm whether or not todelete the job information, even when the job deletion informationinstructs to delete the job information after completing the job.
 5. Animage output apparatus that outputs data in a data file to be subjectedto a job as visual data, the data to be subjected to the job being readout from a portable storage medium in which the data to be subjected tothe job is stored as the data file and job information for executing apredetermined procedure with respect to the data file is stored as a jobfile, comprising: portable storage medium access means for accessing theportable storage medium to read out contents of the data file to besubjected to the job and the job file; and job/data deletionconfirmation means for, after completing the job for the data file to besubjected to the job, confirming with a user whether or not to deletethe job information and the data subjected to the job.
 6. The imageoutput apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the job informationcontains job/data deletion information indicating whether or not todelete the job information and the data subjected to the job aftercompleting the job, and the job/data deletion confirmation means makesthe user confirm whether or not to delete the job information and thedata subjected to the job, even when the job/data deletion informationinstructs to delete the job information and the data subjected to thejob after completing the job.
 7. (deleted)
 8. (amended) An image outputapparatus that outputs data in a data file to be output as visible data,the data in the data file being read out from a portable storage mediumin which the data to be output is stored as the data file, comprising:portable storage medium access means for accessing the portable storagemedium to read out the data in the data file to be output; processingcapability detection means for detecting whether the data in the datafile to be output is required for processing more than a processingcapability of the image output apparatus to output the data as visualdata; and notification means for, when the processing capabilitydetection means detects that the data in the data file to be output isrequired for processing more than the processing capability, notifying auser that outputting of the image cannot be done based on the detectionresult, wherein the data in the data file to be output is color imagedata, and the notification means refers to information on a color spaceof the color image data in the data file to be output and notifies theuser that the color image data cannot be output as visual data by theimage output apparatus due to the color space.
 9. (amended) An imageoutput apparatus that outputs data in a data file to be output asvisible data, the data in the data file being read out from a portablestorage medium in which the data to be output is stored as the datafile, comprising: portable storage medium access means for accessing theportable storage medium to read out the data in the data file to beoutput; processing capability detection means for detecting whether thedata in the data file to be output is required for processing more thana processing capability of the image output apparatus to output the dataas visual data; and notification means for, when the processingcapability detection means detects that the data in the data file to beoutput is required for processing more than the processing capability,notifying a user that outputting of the image cannot be done based onthe detection result, wherein the data in the data file to be output isimage data, and the notification means refers to information on anencoding method of the image data in the data file to be output andnotifies the user that the image data cannot be output as visual data bythe image output apparatus due to the encoding method.
 10. (deleted) 11.(amended) An image output apparatus that outputs image data in a datafile to be output as visible data, the image data in the data file beingread out from a portable storage medium in which the image data to beoutput is stored as the data file, comprising: portable storage mediumaccess means for accessing the portable storage medium to read out theimage data in the data file to be output; processing capabilitydetection means for detecting whether the image data in the data file tobe output is required for processing more than a processing capabilityof the image output apparatus to output the data as visual data;resolution conversion means for converting the image data into imagedata with a low resolution; image formation means for printing out theimage data onto a recording medium as the visual data; and notificationmeans for, when the processing capability detection means detects thatthe data in the data file to be output is required for processing morethan the processing capability, notifying a user that outputting of theimage cannot be done based on the detection result, wherein thenotification means refers to a size of the image data in the data fileto be output and notifies the user that the image data cannot be printedout as visual data due to the size of the image data, and notifies theuser whether or not to print out the image data with the low resolutionconverted by the resolution conversion means onto the recording mediumas visual data, thereby allowing the user to confirm.
 12. An imageoutput apparatus that prints out data in a data file to be printed asvisible data, the data in the data file being read out from a portablestorage medium in which the data to be printed is stored as the datafile, and being image data, comprising: portable storage medium accessmeans for accessing the portable storage medium to read out the imagedata in the data file to be printed; image enlargement means forenlarging a size of the image data; image formation means for printingout the image data onto a recording medium as the visible data; andprinting notification means for, when the size of the image data issmaller than a size of the recording medium, notifying a user that thesize of the image data has been enlarged by the image enlargement meansand the enlarged image data has been printed out onto the recordingmedium by the image formation means.
 13. An image output apparatus thatprints out data in a data file as visible data, the data in the datafile being read out from a portable storage medium in which the data tobe printed is stored as the data file and the data in the data file tobe printed being image data, comprising: portable storage medium accessmeans for accessing the portable storage medium to read out the imagedata in the data file to be printed; image reduction means for reducinga size of the image data; image formation means for printing out theimage data onto a recording medium as the visible data; and printnotification means for, when the size of the image data is larger than asize of the recording medium, notifying a user that the size of theimage data has been reduced by the image reduction means and the reducedimage data has been printed out onto the recording medium by the imageformation means.
 14. An image output apparatus that outputs data in adata file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data to besubjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, comprising: portable storagemedium access means for accessing the portable storage medium to readout contents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the jobfile; image formation means for printing out the data in the data fileto be subjected to the job onto a recording medium as the visual data;and job deletion confirmation means for, when a user instructs to stopprinting before the image formation means finishes the printing of anumber of copies designated by the job information, confirming with auser whether or not to delete the job information.
 15. An image outputapparatus that outputs data in a data file to be subjected to a job asvisual data, the data to be subjected to the job being read from aportable storage medium in which the data to be subjected to the job isstored as the data file and job information for executing apredetermined procedure with respect to the data file is stored as a jobfile, comprising: portable storage medium access means for accessing theportable storage medium to read out contents of the data file to besubjected to the job and the job file; and image formation means forprinting out the data in the data file to be subjected to the job onto arecording medium as the visual data, wherein when a user instructs tostop printing before the image formation means finishes the printing ofa number of copies designated by the job information, the number of jobswhere printing normally has been conducted is deducted from thedesignated number of copies.
 16. An image output apparatus that outputsdata in a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, the data tobe subjected to the job being read out from a portable storage medium inwhich the data to be subjected to the job is stored as the data file andjob information for executing a predetermined procedure with respect tothe data file is stored as a job file, comprising: portable storagemedium access means for accessing the portable storage medium to readout contents of the data file to be subjected to the job and the jobfile; image formation means for printing the data in the data file to besubjected to the job onto a recording medium as the visual data; and jobnumber reduction confirmation means for, when a user instructs to stopprinting before the image formation means finishes the printing of anumber of copies designated by the job information, confirming with theuser whether or not to reduce the number of jobs where printing normallyhas been conducted from the designated number of copies.
 17. An imageoutput apparatus that outputs data in a data file to be subjected to ajob as visual data, the data to be subjected to the job being read outfrom a portable storage medium in which the data to be subjected to thejob is stored as the data file and job information for executing apredetermined procedure with respect to the data file is stored as a jobfile, comprising: portable storage medium access means for accessing theportable storage medium to read out contents of the data file to besubjected to the job and the job file; and job execution selection meansfor, before commencing execution of the job, allowing a user to selectexecution, skip, or deletion of the job.
 18. An image output apparatusthat outputs data in a data file to be subjected to a job as visualdata, the data to be subjected to the job being read out from a portablestorage medium in which the data to be subjected to the job is stored asthe data file and job information for executing a predeterminedprocedure with respect to the data file is stored as a job file,comprising: portable storage medium access means for accessing theportable storage medium to read out contents of the data file to besubjected to the job and the job file; and job parameters changing meansfor, before commencing execution of the job, allowing a user to changesettings of parameters relating to the job.
 19. An image outputapparatus that outputs data in a data file to be subjected to a job asvisual data, the data to be subjected to the job being read out from aportable storage medium in which the data to be subjected to the job isstored as the data file and job information for executing apredetermined procedure with respect to the data file is stored as a jobfile, comprising: portable storage medium access means for accessing theportable storage medium to read out contents of the data file to besubjected to the job and the job file; and job information setting meansfor, before commencing execution of the job, allowing a user to set jobinformation that is not included in the job information corresponding tothe job.
 20. The image output apparatus according to claim 19, furthercomprising image formation means for printing out the data in the datafile to be subjected to the job onto a recording medium as the visualdata, wherein the job information set by the job information settingmeans is paper handling information.
 21. An image output apparatus thatoutputs data in a data file to be subjected to a job as visual data, thedata to be subjected to the job being read out from a portable storagemedium in which the data to be subjected to the job is stored as thedata file and job information for executing a predetermined procedurewith respect to the data file is stored as a job file, comprising:portable storage medium access means for accessing the portable storagemedium to read out contents of the data file to be subjected to the joband the job file; and image formation means for printing out the data inthe data file to be subjected to the job on a recording medium as thevisual data, wherein the data stored in the portable storage medium isimage data obtained by reading an original image by an image reader, andthe image data is printed out onto the recording medium by the imageformation means, according to printing job information set by the userin the image reader and stored corresponding to the image data.